Edwin Poots holds one-to-one meetings with DUP MLAs

Mr Poots is not due to take over as leader until Arlene Foster steps down on 28 May

DUP leader designate Edwin Poots has been holding one-to-one meetings with the party's MLAs ahead of an anticipated ministerial reshuffle.

It is understood he wants to consult the DUP assembly team on a range of internal issues.

He also plans to reassure colleagues who backed Sir Jeffrey Donaldson in Friday's leadership election.

Mr Poots is not due to take over as leader until Arlene Foster steps down on 28 May.

He has said he is keen to ensure a smooth transition.

• Edwin Poots: Who is the new leader of the DUP?

• Poots facing big questions after landing dream job

It is understood he will hold individual meetings with DUP assembly members over the course of Monday and Tuesday, seeking their views before beginning any shake-up.

His plans are thought to include changing the ministerial team, as well as the DUP chairs and vice-chairs of Stormont's committees.

He is also due to meet Northern Ireland Secretary Brandon Lewis on Tuesday.

Mervyn Storey, Paul Givan, Paul Frew and Paula Bradley are all tipped to be the next first minister

In an interview with the Sunday Life newspaper, he confirmed he would not take the first minister post himself.

Among those tipped as possible successors as first minister are DUP MLAs Mervyn Storey, Paul Givan, Paul Frew and the party's new deputy leader Paula Bradley.

With a 19-17 split in the leadership result, some of those who voted for Sir Jeffrey Donaldson will be wondering where the election leaves them in the party.

I'm told that some of these one-to-one meetings that Edwin Poots is planning to have today will be to take some time to reassure some of Team Jeffrey supporters.

We know he is a practical and pragmatic politician and they say that time heals all wounds, but I think it will take more than time.

None of the MLAs who backed Sir Jeffrey have been named as potential candidates for inclusion in the ministerial reshuffle.

The names we are hearing include Meryvn Storey, Paul Givan and Paul Frew, who were early supporters of Mr Poots.

Edwin Poots has a lot of talking to do over the next few days. He has promised reform, but the question is how exactly is he going to do that?

In addition, some MLAs have been telling me they think Arlene Foster staying on until the end of June is simply too long and they want to see Team Edwin Poots taking up their new executive roles much sooner than that.

How do they do this smoothly when there already has been criticism of how Mrs Foster has been ousted from office? These are the early challenges for her successor.

Sources close to the next DUP leader have suggested he does not want to rush any changes.

However Mr Poots has already indicated that he will ask DUP MLAs whether Arlene Foster should stand down as first minister earlier than scheduled at the end of June.

On Monday afternoon, Mr Storey said he had not yet had a meeting with Mr Poots.

When asked if he would accept a role as either first minister or an executive minister if offered, he said he would have to consider the personal implications of taking on such a post.

"I have never sought after or gone after any position," Mr Storey told BBC 's Evening Extra programme.

"I have been happy to serve in the positions that have come my way. But I have a family that are very precious to me.

"I have a life that I want to live and if there are decisions that we have to make in the next number of days, we will make them in light of those priorities."

'Enormity of the role'

He added: "That may sound very personal in terms of all of this. I think people don't fully grasp the enormity of the role.

"A ministerial role brings a huge change to your life and brings huge responsibilities because you are no longer a citizen in the same way as everyone else.

"You are there to serve the people of Northern Ireland and that is a huge responsibility."

DUP South Belfast MLA Christopher Stalford said it was important for unionists to work together to maximise the number of seats they get in next year's assembly elections in order to oppose the NI Protocol when a consent vote comes around in 2024.

"Northern Ireland can't be put down as some sort of a dowry to purchase Brexit for England and Wales," he told the Nolan Show on Monday.